Methods And Compositions For Reducing Or Inhibiting Spray Drift And Driftable Fines

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for reducing or inhibiting spray drift and driftable fines.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/670,703, filed 12 Jul. 2012, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to agricultural compositions and tank mixadjuvants, which exhibit reduce amounts of fine particles when sprayedthrough spray nozzles used in agriculture to disseminate agrochemicals.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the agricultural arts, various agrochemicals are applied to growingareas by spraying. The growing areas may be crop areas in the field,which can be very large, or smaller growing areas such as those ingreenhouses. The agrochemicals applied as sprays include fertilizers,herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, pesticides, miticides,micronutrients, and the like. These materials can be applied to thetarget surfaces including the plants, seeds, crops, acid or the soil.The agrocheraicals must be applied via a carrier and reach the targetsurfaces to exert their desired biological effects. As the term is usedherein, “pesticide” includes herbicides, insecticides, fungicides,miticides, and plant growth regulators. Fertilizers includemacronutrients (containing Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur,Calcium, Magnesium), and micronutrients.

Certain pesticides (particularly those containing 2,4 D, dicamba andglyphosate salts, esters, and acids) are known to cause adverse effectsif these pesticides inadvertently come in contact with non-targetplants. When agricultural chemicals are sprayed, a distribution of sprayparticle sizes is formed and this distribution depends on the nature ofthe spray mix, type of nozzle used, spray system pressure and othervariable factors such ground speed of the applying system, natural windspeed, temperature, and humidity. One possible side effect of thespraying process is an undesirable effect commonly called spray orpesticide drift. Controlling spray drift of these pesticides isespecially important as genetically modified crop plants resistant tothese pesticides are commercialized.

The importance of drift control is well recognized by the agriculturalindustry as a number of technologies have been developed based on thefollowing technologies: 1) polyacrylamide polymers, 2) invert emulsiontechnology, 3) Guar gums, and 4) Lecithin. Each of these technologies isused in practice, but each technology has limitations on their use.Furthermore, the importance of drift control is such that regulatoryagencies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency havepromulgated rules to minimize such drift. As a consequence, pesticideproducts often have labels detailing use restrictions so as to reducedrift potential of a pesticide spray.

Therefore, a need exists for methods and compositions for controllingspray drift of pesticides and other compositions to adjacent crops.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, the present invention is a composition which has areduced amount of driftable fines or is capable of reducing the amountof driftable fines of an agrochemical when mixed therein (e.g., as atank mix adjuvant) as compared to a control. In some embodiments, wherethe composition is ready to use, i.e., is not to be mixed with othercompositions before spraying, the composition comprises at least 0.01%by weight, preferably about 0.01%-2.0% by weight, and more preferablyabout 0.02%-0.12% by weight, of a resin. In some embodiments, the resinis a phenolic resin, a rosin ester, or a polyterpene. In someembodiments where the composition of the present invention is aconcentrate that is to be used as an additive, e.g., a tank mixadjuvant, that is added to an agrochemical before the agrochemical issprayed, the concentrate comprises a concentrated amount of the resinwhich results in at least 0.01% by weight, preferably about 0.01%-2.0%by weight, and more preferably about 0.02%-0.12% by weight, of the resinin the final mixture comprising the agrochemical that is sprayed. Insome embodiments, the concentrate comprises at least 1% by weight,preferably about 5%-50% by weight, more preferably about 15%-25% byweight, and most preferably about 20% by weight, of a resin. Accordingto the present invention, the compositions and final mixtures to besprayed have an enhanced ability to stick to plant surfaces and arecompatible for use with agrochemicals, e.g., the compositions and finalmixtures to be sprayed do not have a detrimental effect on the activityand/or function of agrochemicals. The concentrates of the presentinvention may be incorporated into pesticide formulations (“in can”) oradded to spray tank mixtures (“tank mix additives”). In someembodiments, the concentrates of the present invention are adjuvantsthat can be mixed with an agrochemical, e.g., one, two, or three or morepesticides, into the spray mixture without causing mixing issues such asflocking, thickening of the spray mixture, and pesticide activesprecipitation. The concentrates according to the present invention maybe homogenous compositions.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of reducing,inhibiting, or preventing driftable fines (mean particle size<150microns) from forming when spraying an agrochemical using conventionalspraying techniques and spraying apparatuses used in the agrochemicalarts. In these embodiments, the methods comprise adding at least oneresin, e.g., a phenolic resin, a rosin ester, or a polyterpene, to theagrochemical before spraying. In some embodiments, the amount of theresin added to the agrochemical is one that results in at least 0.01% byweight, preferably about 0.01%-2.0% by weight, and more preferably about0.02%-0.12% by weight, of the resin in the total composition to besprayed. In some embodiments, the methods of the present inventionresults in an improved deposition of an agrochemical onto plant foliageor soil by increasing the percent of total spray droplets of theagrochemical that is deposited on the target substrate and do not drift.

Both the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription arc exemplary and explanatory only and are intended toprovide further explanation of the invention as claimed. Theaccompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding ofthe invention and are incorporated in and constitute part of thisspecification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to compositions, concentrates, andmethods for controlling spray drift. Compositions according to thepresent invention that are ready to be sprayed “as is” comprise at least0.01% by weight, preferably about 0.01%-2.0% by weight, and morepreferably about 0.02%-0.12% by weight, of at least one resin, and atleast one agrochemical and/or at least one adjuvant. The compositions ofthe present invention have a reduced amount of driftable fines whensprayed as compared to a control, i.e., composition that does notcontain the resin. As used herein, “driftable fines” are droplets of thespray that are less than 150 microns in diameter. The amount ofdriftable fines is a parameter that influences pesticide drift. Thelarger the amount of driftable fines, the greater the amount ofpesticide drift.

In some embodiments, the concentrates of the present invention reduce,inhibit, and/or prevent the spray drift of a second composition whenadded thereto as compared to the spray drift of the second compositionwithout having the concentrate mixed therein. In some embodiments,concentrates according to the present invention comprise a concentratedamount of at least one resin which results in at least 0.01% by weight,preferably about 0.01%-2.0% by weight, and more preferably about0.02%-0.12% by weight, of the at least one resin when mixed with thesecond composition. In some embodiments, the concentrate comprises atleast 1% by weight, preferably about 5%-50% by weight, more preferablyabout 15%-25% by weight, and most preferably about 20% by weight, of aresin. In some embodiments, the concentrates may comprise at least oneagrochemical and/or at least one adjuvant. In some embodiments, theconcentrates of the present invention reduce, inhibit, and/or preventthe amount of driftable fines of a second composition when added theretoand sprayed as compared to the amount of driftable fines of the secondcomposition when sprayed without having the concentrate mixed therein.In some embodiments, the concentrates of the present invention may bereadily mixed with agrochemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides,adjuvants (which may be concentrated), and/or water and then applied toa target area using a spraying apparatus, e.g., a spray nozzle,

As used herein, an “agrochemical” refers to pesticides (insecticides,herbicides, miticides, fungicides), plant growth regulators,fertilizers, and micronutrients, and the like. As used herein, an“adjuvant” refers to a material added to a tank mix to aid or modify theaction of an agrochemical, or the physical properties of the mixture(see ASTM Standard E1519-10, 2010, “Standard Terminology Relating toAgricultural Tank Mix Adjuvants”, ASTM International, West Conshohocken,Pa., 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference). Adjuvants may bein the form of a liquid, a dry powder, or a granule. Adjuvants areavailable to both the agricultural and nonagricultural markets. Adjuvanttypes include crop oil concentrates, nonionic surfactant blends, driftcontrol agents, compatibility agents, water conditioning agents, and thelike.

Resins suitable for use according to the present invention include thosethat are known in the art and are sold, for example, by Akzo Nobel Inc.as WITBREAK RESINS, Arizona Chemical as SYLVARES and SYLVATAC resins,Pinova Corp as PICOLYTE resins, and Eastman Chemical. Particularlypreferred resins according to the present invention include phenolicresins, rosin esters, and polyterpenes. Phenolic resins include thosethat are reaction products of formaldehyde and phenols. An example of aphenolic resin is WITBREAK DRC 167, which is a polymer of formaldehyde,polymer with methyloxirane and 4-nonyphenol. Rosin esters include thosethat are the reaction products of rosin and an alcohol. Polyterpenes arepolymers of isoprene or polyisoprene.

The compositions and concentrates of the present invention may be in theform of an aqueous solution (AS), an essentially non aqueous solutioncontaining less that 10% water (NAS), a concentrated emulsion (CE), asuspo-emulsion (SE), a dispersion, a reverse phase emulsion (RPE), anemulsifiable concentrate (EC), a micro-emulsifiable, concentrate (MEC),and the like.

The compositions and concentrates of the present invention may containnonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants,organosilicones, quaternary compounds, dispersants, and/or othersurface-active agents. The compositions and concentrates of the presentinvention may contain plant nutrients such as nitrogen compounds,phosphorous compounds, potassium compounds, and minor elementalcompounds of zinc, iron, manganese, magnesium, boron, and the like. Thecompositions and concentrates of the present invention may contain otherfunctional agents including defoamers, petroleum distillates, vegetablederived oils, fatty alcohols, polyhydric alcohols, glycol ethers,humectants, polymers, and the like. The concentrates according to thepresent invention may be diluted, with water for example, before forspraying and/or mixing with an agrochemical.

In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of the presentinvention do not interfere with and/or reduce the activity ofagrochemicals, e.g. pesticides, when mixed therewith. Thus, the presentinvention provides drift control agents and compositions that arecompatible with different types of agrochemical formulations (e.g.,aqueous and oil based formulations).

In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods ofreducing, inhibiting, or preventing the amount of spray drift and/ordrillable fines of an agrochemical when sprayed which comprises addingan amount of at least one resin to result in at least 0.01% by weight,preferably about 0.01%-2.0% by weight, and more preferably about0.02%-0.12% by weight, of the at least one resin in the final mixture tobe sprayed.

In some embodiments, the present invention results in at least about a0.5% reduction, preferably at least about a 1% reduction, morepreferably at least about a 3-5% reduction in the amount of particlesthat are less than 150 microns in diameter. In some embodiments, thepresent invention results in about a 1-10% reduction in the amount ofparticles that are less than 150 microns in diameter.

FORMULATION (CONCENTRATE) EXAMPLES

TABLE 1 Formulation Number Ingredient 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Ethoxylatedtriglyceride 20 20 20 — 20 20 — 25 25 Agnique SBO 10, BASF, FlorhamPark, NJ Fatty acid blend 10 10 10 10 10 10 6 — XTOL 0621, GeorgiaPacific, Decatur, GA Petroleum resin 1* 16 — — — — — — — Witbreak DRC167, Akzo Nobel, Chicago, IL Petroleum resin 2* — 16 16 — — 39 15 15Witbreak DRC 164, Akzo Nobel, Chicago IL Paraffinic oil Calpar 70, 15 1515 15 15 — 13 — Calumet Specialties, Indianapolis, IN Ethoxylatedsorbitan 35 35 15 35 35 35 — — monooleate Agnique SMO-20-u, BASF,Florham Park, NJ Polyterpene, Sylvares — — — — — 20 — — — TR A25,Arizona Chemical, Jacksonville, FL Rosin ester, Sylvatac — — — — 20 — —— — RE25, Arizona Chemical, Jacksonville, FL Nonylphenol ethoxylate — —— — — — 22 25 — POE 9, Tergitol NP-9, Dow Chemical, Midland, MINonylphenol ethoxylate — — — — — — 20 — — POE 6 Tergitol NP-6, DowChemical, Midland, MI 2-ethylhexanol — — 20 — — — — — 25 ethoxylate POE6, Ecosurf EH-6, Dow Chemical, Midland, MI C12-C18 methyl ester — — — 20— — — — — ethoxylate POE 5, Agnique ME1218-5, BASF, Florham Park, NJDiethylene glycol, 25 25 Diethylene glycol, Dow Chemical, Midland, MISolvent naptha heavy 4 4 4 aromatic, Aromatic 150 ExxonMobil Houston,Water 10 10 *Chemical name: formaldehyde, polymer with 2-methyloxiraneand 4-nonylphenol

In the table above the amounts are percent by weight of the numberedformulations (concentrates).

The formulations of Table 1 were added to a solution of water andpesticide in the concentration noted. In the Examples, the amount of thegiven formulation added is provided as the percent volume of the totalvolume of the composition to be sprayed, e.g., in Example 1, the amountof Formulation 2 is 0.25% volume of the total volume of the composition(Water+Formulation 2).

It should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art can readilycalculate the amount of resin required in a concentrate in order toprovide, when diluted to a given dilution, the desired amount of theresin in the composition to be sprayed. For example, where 1 quart of aconcentrate having 16% by weight of resin is to be added to 100 gallonsof water, in order to obtain about 0.04% by weight of the resin in thecomposition to be sprayed, one can calculate as follows: 1 gallon ofwater=8.34 lbs, 100 gallons=834 lbs, 1 qt formulated product=2.085 lbs,but only 16% resin=0.3336 lbs resin, 0.3336/834=0.0004×100=0.04% actualresin.

The water used in all tests contained a total of 342 ppm of total waterhardness. When sprayed, the drift control standard used was a commercialformulation of polyacrylamide (PAM) which was Magnafloc 351 from BASFCorporation, Florham Park, N.J. The following data shows the effect onparticle size distribution as determined by a Malvern Spraytec or aHelos Sympatec laser diffractometer particle size analyzer. All studieswere done with either an XR8002 or XR11002 fiat fan nozzle at 40 psispray pressure. All additives are added at a volume:volume ratio (notedin each data table) in a total spray volume of 10 gallons per acre.Pesticide amounts are noted in each table.

Example 1

Sample % droplets < 150 microns Water only 50.8 Water + Formulation 2(0.25% v:v) 34.2 Water + standard PAM 37.7

These results show that both the standard polyacrylamide and Formulation2 can reduce % fine particles when water alone is sprayed. However,Formulation 2 results in a 3.5% decrease in driftable lines over PAM.

Example 2

Sample % droplets < 150 microns Water 46.7 Water + glyphosate (K salt,1.7%) 40.8 Water + glyphosate (K salt, 1.7%) + 31.1 Formulation 1 (1%v:v)

These results show that Formulation 1 reduces the amount of drillablefines of a spray mixture by about 9.7%.

Example 3

Sample % droplets < 150 microns Water 47.4 Water + imidicloprid SC 44.0Water + imidicloprid SC + Formulation 2 34.0 (1% v:v)

These results show that Formulation 2 reduces the amount of drillablefines by about 10%. Also, Formulation 2 reduces fine particles of aspray of a suspension concentrate as compared to Example 3 which uses awater soluble formulation of glyphosate.

Example 4

Sample % droplets < 150 microns Water 41.5 Water + glyphosate (K salt,1.7%) + 39.6 dicamba (dimethylamine salt, 1.25%) Water + glyphosate (Ksalt, 1.7%) + 30.0 dicamba (dimethylamine salt, 1.25%) + Formulation 5(0.5% v:v) Water + glyphosate (K salt, 1.7%) + 32.0 dicamba(dimethylamine salt, 1.25%) + Formulation 2 (0.5% v; v)

These results show that Formulations 2 and 5 reduce the amount ofdriftable fines by about 7.6% to about 9.6%.

In another example, a mixture of glyphosate and 2,4-D salts (Mix) wassprayed at 4.38% total herbicide concentration and effects ofconcentrates according to the present invention were assessed forreducing the amount of driftable fines. The results are shown inExamples 5 and 6.

Example 5

Sample % droplets < 150 microns Mix alone 21.7 Mix + Formulation 3 (0.5%v:v) 18.2 Mix + Formulation 4 (0.5% v:v) 20.6 Mix + Formulation 2 (0.5%v:v) 20.8 Standard polyacrylamide (0.5% v:v) 38.0

These results show that different surfactants can be present in thecompositions and concentrates according to the present invention withoutchanging their ability to reduce or inhibit spray drift. Surprisingly,in these mixtures, the standard polyacrylamide increased fines incomparison to the control (Mix alone). Formulations 2, 3, and 4 provideda modest decrease in the amount of drillable fines as compared to Mixalone, however, the modest decrease is significant when compared to thedriftable finds of the standard polyacrylamide mixture

Example 6

Sample % droplets < 150 microns Mix alone 18.2 Mix + Formulation 8 (0.5%v:v) 16.3 Mix + Formulation 9 (0.5% v:v) 15.8 Standard polyacrylamide(0.5% v:v) 41.7

Like Example 5, Formulations 8 and 9 provided only a modest decrease inthe amount of driftable fines in the special herbicide formulation. Aswith Example 5, however, the standard polyacrylamide more than doubledthe amount of driftable fines. Therefore, the compositions andconcentrates of the present invention may be used with agrochemicals inorder to reduce or inhibit the amount of driftable fines and/or spraydrift.

Because of the reduced amount of driftable fines and spray drift, moredroplets will be deposited on the surfaces of an agricultural target(e.g., soil, water, plant foliage, insects, mites, fungal spores, fungalbiomass, etc.). (Therefore, the compositions, concentrates, and methodsof the present invention also provides increased deposition of one ormore agrochemicals and/or adjuvants on surfaces of agricultural targets.

The compositions that are ready to spray according to the presentinvention comprise at least about 0.01% by weight, preferably about0.01%-2.0% by weight, and more preferably about 0.02%-0.12% by weight,of at least one resin, and concentrates according to the presentinvention comprise a concentrated amount of at least one resin whichresults in at least about 0.01% by weight, preferably about 0.01%-2.0%by weight, and more preferably about 0.02%-0.12% by weight, of the atleast one resin when mixed with the second composition. For example, insome embodiments, a concentrate according to the present inventioncomprises a concentrated amount of at least one resin and a concentratedamount of at least one agrochemical or adjuvant, wherein theconcentrated amount of the at least one resin is an amount that resultsin at least 0.01% by weight, preferably about 0.01%-2.0% by weight, andmore preferably about 0.02%-0.12% by weight of the resin in thecomposition to be sprayed when the concentrate is diluted to give aconcentration of the at least one agrochemical or adjuvant suitable forspraying on an agricultural target. In some embodiments, concentratesaccording to the present invention comprise at least about 1% by weight,preferably about 5%-50% by weight, more preferably about 15%-25% byweight, and most preferably about 20% by weight, of the at least oneresin.

The compositions and concentrates according to the present invention maycomprise one or more additional ingredients, such as those commonly usedin agricultural compositions and formulations, including emulsifiers,surfactants, dispersants, adjuvants, humectants, preservatives,polymers, solvents, and the like. The compositions and concentrates ofthe present invention may have any suitable pH (one that is suitable forthe intended result and compatible with the agrochemical being applied).In some embodiments, the pH is from 2 to 12.

The compositions and concentrates of the present invention may furthercomprise an oil component, and/or surfactants (nonionic, anionicsurfactants, cationic surfactants) and/or a fertilizer. The fertilizercan be present in an amount of 0.0001 to 99% by weight of the finalspray mixture. Suitable oil components included those selected from thegroup consisting of fatty carboxylic acid esters, seed oils, petroleumoils, mono, di or tricarboxylic acids, fatty alcohols, fatty ethers,fatty amides, synthetic oils, and mixtures thereof.

The compositions and concentrates of the present invention may furthercomprise one or more monocaboyxlic acid esters. Suitable monocarboxylicacid esters include those having the following general formula:R₂COOC_(n)H_(2n+1), wherein R₂ is an alkyl radical having from about 4to about 22 carbon atoms, and n is a number from-4.

Suitable fatty acid esters include methyl and ethyl esters derived fromthe esterification of unsaturated carboxylic acids having from about 18to 22 carbon atoms. Some preferred methyl esters include methyl oleate,methyl laurate, and methyl soyate. Some preferred ethyl esters includeethyl oleate, and ethyl canolate. Suitable fatty acids from which thefatty acid esters may be derived include coconut and other vegetableoils, tallow, etc. Di and tricarboxylic acids can also be used to formesters.

The compositions and concentrates of the present invention may furthercomprise alkoxylated carboxylic acid esters such as fatty acid estersincluding those listed above which are alkoxylated with ethylene oxide,propylene oxide, and combinations thereof.

The compositions and concentrates of the present invention may furthercomprise alcohols, including saturated or unsaturated alcohols andbranch or linear alcohols. In some embodiments, the alcohols are C₈-C₂₀alcohols.

The compositions and concentrates of the present invention may furthercomprise carboxylic acids including those having of a chain of alkylgroups containing from 4 to 22 carbon atoms, and characterized by aterminal carboxyl group. The carboxylic acids may be saturated such as,for example, butyric, lauric, palmitic, and stearic or unsaturated suchas, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic.

The compositions and concentrates of the present invention may furthercomprise fatty ethers, which include those generally derived from fattyalcohols, such as those listed above, by the elimination of water. Fattyethers are generally characterized by the formula ROR wherein R is analkyl group containing from 4 to 22 carbon atoms.

The compositions and concentrates of the present invention may furthercomprise fatty amides including those of the general formula R═CONH₂wherein R is an alkyl group having from 4 to 22 carbon atoms.

The compositions and concentrates of the present invention may furthercomprise seed oils are those derived from seeds and nuts and includecastor, coconut, soybean, and the like. In some embodiments, the seedoil is or comprises soybean oil.

The compositions and concentrates of the present invention may furthercomprise petroleum oil which includes petroleum, petroleum-derived oils,and synthetic oils.

The compositions and concentrates of the present invention may furthercomprise a glyceride such as those derived from glycerol and C₆-C₂₂fatty acids. In some embodiments, the glyceride is glycerol mono- and/ordi-oleate.

The compositions and concentrates of the present invention may furthercomprise nonionic surfactants. Suitable nonionic surfactants includesugar surfactants, alkoxylated fatty alcohols, alkoxylated fatty acids,alkoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated fatty ethers, alkoxylated fattyamides, ethoxylated seed oils, ethoxylated mineral oils, nonylphenolethoxylates, alkoxylated alkyl phenols, ethoxylated glycerides, castoroil ethoxylates, and mixtures thereof.

Alkoxylated fatty alcohols include fatty alcohols such as those listedabove which are alkoxylated with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, andcombinations thereof.

Alkoxylated fatty acids include fatty acids such as those listed abovewhich are alkoxylated with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, andcombinations thereof.

Alkoxylated fatty ethers include fatty ethers such as that list above,which are alkoxylated with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, andcombinations thereof.

Alkoxylated fatty amides include fatty amides such as those listed abovewhich are alkoxylated with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, andcombinations thereof.

Suitable alcohols ethoxylates included C₈-C₁₈ alcohols ethoxylated withfrom about 2 to about 30 moles of ethylene oxide.

Suitable ethoxylated seed oils include those containing from about 1 toabout 200 moles of ethylene oxide.

Suitable nonylphenol ethoxylates include those ethoxylated with about 4to about 70 moles of ethylene oxide. A particularly preferrednonylphenol ethoxylated is a combination of a NP-9 with an NP-6.

Other surfactants that may be included in the compositions andconcentrates of the present invention include quaternary ammoniumsurfactants, ether amine surfactants, alkoxylated amine surfactants,secondary or tertiary alcohol surfactants, sorbitan fatty acid ester andamine, organosilicone surfactants, phosphate esters, and alkylpolyglycosides.

In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of the presentinvention comprise a fatty alkanolamide of the formula

wherein R is an alkyl group having from about 6 to about 25 carbonatoms; R and R″ are the same or different and are independently selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, —CH₂ CH₂OH, and

In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of the presentinvention comprise a PEG ester of the formula

wherein R² is C₂-C₂₅ alkyl, R³ is alkyl having from about 2 to about 25carbon atoms or hydrogen and m is a number from 1 to about 100.

In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of the presentinvention comprise a silicone surfactant of the formula

wherein x is a number from 0 to about 5, y is a number from 1 to about5, a is a number from about 3 to about 25, b is a number from 0 to about25, n is a number from about 2 to about 4 and R⁶ is hydrogen, an alkylgroup having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms or an alkyl ester group having 1to about 4 carbon atoms.

In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of the presentinvention comprise an ethoxylated carboxylic acid of the formula

wherein R⁷ is an alkyl group having from about 6 to about 25 carbonatoms, p is a number from 1 to about 100.

In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of the presentinvention comprise an alkyl ethoxylates of the formula

R⁸O(CH₂CH₂O)_(q)H

wherein R is an alkyl group having from 1 to about 50 carbon atoms and qis a number from 1 to about 100.

In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of the presentinvention comprise an alkylphenol ethoxylate of the formula

wherein R⁹ is hydrogen or an alkyl having from about 1 to about 20carbons atoms, R¹⁰ is hydrogen or an alkyl having from about 1 to about20 carbon atoms and n is a number from 1 to about 100.

In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of the presentinvention comprise a polypropylene glycol of the formula

wherein t is a number from 1 to about 100.

In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of the presentinvention comprise an amine ethoxylate of the formula

wherein g and h independently of one another are numbers from 1 to about100 and R″ is an alkyl having from 1 to about 25 carbon atoms.

In some embodiments, the compositions and concentrates of the presentinvention comprise a tristyrylphenol alkoxylate.

To the extent necessary to understand or complete the disclosure of thepresent invention, all publications, patents, and patent applicationsmentioned herein are expressly incorporated by reference therein to thesame extent as though each were individually so incorporated.

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, itshould be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosuresare exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, andmodifications may be made within the scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specificembodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the followingclaims.

1. A method for reducing or inhibiting spray drift and/or drillablefines of a composition when sprayed onto a surface or increasing theamount of particles of the composition deposited onto the surface whichcomprises adding a formulation comprising at least one resin to thecomposition before spraying the composition, wherein the at least oneresin is selected from the group consisting of phenolic resins,polyalkoxylated polyols, vinyl polymers, vinyl copolymers, glycidylethers, polyurethanes, polyurethane alkoxylates, hyperbranched polymers(such as polyethyleneimines), polyamides, polyamidoamines, rosin esters,hydrogenated rosins, hydrogenated rosins methyl esters, ester gums,alpha methyl styrene resins, terpene phenolic resins, and mixturesthereof.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of theat least one resin in the composition to be sprayed is about 0.01%-2.0%by weight of the total composition.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the resin is a phenolic resin, a rosinester, or a mixture thereof.
 5. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe composition to be sprayed comprises at least one agrochemical. 6.The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition to be sprayedfurther comprises at least one of the following emulsifiers,surfactants, fatty acids, pH modifiers, water conditioning agents,wetting agents, dispersants, solvents, preservatives, humectants,coupling agents, defoamers, and mixtures thereof.
 7. A compositionhaving reduced driftable fines which comprises at least one agrochemicaland a formulation comprising at least one resin, wherein the resin isselected from the group consisting of phenolic resins, polyalkoxylatedpolyols, vinyl polymers, vinyl copolymers, glycidyl ethers,polyurethanes, polyurethane alkoxylates, hyperbranched polymers (such aspolyethyleneimines), polyamides, polyamidoamines, rosin esters,hydrogenated rosins, hydrogenated rosin methyl esters, ester gums, alphamethyl styrene resins, terpene phenolic resins, and mixtures thereof. 8.The composition according to claim 7, wherein the resin is a phenolicresin, a rosin ester, or a mixture thereof.
 9. (canceled)
 10. Thecomposition according to claim 7, wherein the agrochemical is apesticide, a fungicide, a herbicide, an insecticide, or a fertilizer.11. The composition according to claim 10, wherein the agrochemical ispresent in an amount of about 0.001% to about 99% by weight of thecomposition.
 12. The composition according to claim 7, wherein thecomposition comprises about 1% to about 50% of the at least one resin.13. A method for treating an agricultural target which comprisesspraying the composition according to claim 7 onto the surface of theagricultural target using a spray nozzle.
 14. The method according toclaim 13, wherein the composition comprises about 0.001% to about 2% ofthe at least one resin.
 15. A concentrate for reducing driftable finesof at least one agrochemical or adjuvant which comprises a concentratedamount of at least one resin and a concentrated amount of the at leastone agochemical or adjuvant, wherein the concentrated amount of the atleast one resin is an amount that results in about 0.001% to about 2%when the concentrate is diluted to give a concentration of the at leastone agrochemical or adjuvant suitable for spraying on an agriculturaltarget, and wherein the at least one resin is selected from the groupconsisting of phenolic resins, polyalkoxylated polyols, vinyl polymers,vinyl copolymers, glycidyl ethers, polyurethanes, polyurethanealkoxylates, hyperbranched polymers (such as polyethyleneimines),polyamides, polyamidoamines, rosin esters, hydrogenated rosins,hydrogenated rosins methyl esters, ester gums, alpha methyl styreneresins, terpene phenolic resins, and mixtures thereof.
 16. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the amount of the at least one resin in the compositionis about 0.01% to about 0.10% by weight of the total composition. 17.The composition of claim 7, wherein the amount of the at least one resinin the composition is about 0.01% to about 0.10% by weight of the totalcomposition.
 18. The concentrate of claim 15, wherein the concentratedamount of the at least one resin is an amount that results in about0.01% to about 0.10% by weight of the concentrate.